Zhao withdraws from SF school board race after reports on transgender comments

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A controversial San Francisco school board candidate withdrew from the race Monday after recent media reports exposed derogatory comments she made in Chinese about transgender rights and the sexuality of her opponents.

On WeChat, a Chinese messaging service, Josephine Zhao described other school board candidates as “two transgender candidates … fighting for the title of ‘first transgender commissioner’ … also three homosexuals. Their highest priority for education would be to spread ideologies,” according to translations by Mission Local.

Zhao said she was misrepresented, although the online news site used up to nine Cantonese translators to review her comments made on Chinese social media sites, newspapers and in public appearances.

“I strongly believe that the issue of transgender rights and dignity is larger than any single person’s candidacy for office, including my own,” Zhao said on her Facebook candidacy page Monday morning. “Therefore, I would rather step aside and work for the greater good than allow my candidacy to be a tool of division.”

Before her exit, she was considered among the top contenders in a field of 19 candidates for three open seats, raising $77,000 — far more than any of her competitors. She also collected a strong lineup of endorsements, including support from Mayor London Breed and state Sen. Scott Wiener.

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Media: Ted Andersen, SFGATE

“While I do not believe that Josephine is transphobic or homophobic, I do believe that her current comments in combination with older, hurtful comments have created an atmosphere of distrust,” Breed said in a statement Monday. “Josephine has made real strides personally in her understanding and support for the LGBT community ... but she has more work to do.”